Nursing across independent health and social care Â
We’re here to support all our members, no matter what sector or setting you’re employed in.Â
A significant and growing number of our members work in independent health and social care (IHSC). This diverse group includes all nursing staff employed in settings outside the NHS. That could be care homes, nursing agencies, private hospitals or somewhere else entirely. It also includes members – such as general practice nurses – who may provide NHS services but not be employed on Agenda for Change contracts.
This page signposts you to some of our most popular resources. Many of these will be relevant to all members working in IHSC, while others are tailored to particular roles or workplaces. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, please get in touch by emailing ihsc@rcn.org.uk.
Key IHSC resources
Pay, terms and conditions in IHSC
Find information about pay, terms and conditions, including resources for starting conversations with your employer and requesting a pay rise.
How we work
Read about the different ways we support our members in IHSC and find out who’s leading this work in your country or region.
Funding opportunities for IHSC
Read our list of funding opportunities across the UK open to IHSC professionals.
Our fight for fair pay in IHSC employers
View a timeline of our recent campaigns for fair pay at a range of IHSC employers.
News and Events
News and Blogs
Upcoming IHSC events
General nursing resources
Most of the resources on our website are relevant to all members – no matter what sector or setting you’re employed in. This includes many of our advice guides and subject guides, as well as the clinical information on ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ Learn.
Advice guides
Advice for nursing staff about problems at work, ill health, careers, legal issues, money matters, counselling, and more.
Subject guides
These guides provide key resources, books and journals related to various subjects and nursing specialties in your area of practice.
Providing you the latest nursing, health and social care learning resources, to support you with further your learning development.
Workplace-specific resources
We also have a range of resources tailored to specific roles and workplaces within IHSC. You can access these resources through the relevant forum or network:
We're here for you
If you're an ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ member who needs help with any aspect of your employment, you can access online advice or contact us directly. We're here to help – wherever you work.
Upcoming events
Member blogs from independent health and social care settings
Here you will find a range of interesting blog articles by contributing members and our IHSC team, covering various topics within their areas of practice.
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blog posts
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17 Jun 2025
Why Research in Social Care Matters
How providing high-quality care requires kindness and experience – and knowledge gained through research.
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17 Jun 2025
Independent health and social care update
As summer is fast approaching, I thought it would be a good time to pause, reflect and share a bit about what I have been up to so far this year and remind you about some of the ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ professional resources you can tap into as members working in independent health and social care (IHSC).
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17 Jun 2025
A gentle revolution: Namaste Care
The word ‘namaste’ carries a beautiful meaning – ‘to honour the spirit within’. In care homes across the world, this profound concept has transformed into a revolutionary approach to caring for our older people.
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12 Jun 2025
Inspiring Change: Stacey’s Journey from Uncertainty to Nursing Leadership and Academic Excellence, Championing Care Homes as Rewarding Career Pathways.
I never wanted to be a nurse.
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5 Jun 2025
Discovering pathways: The specialised world of Community Sexual Health Nursing
Sexual health nursing is far more than testing for and treating sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
